Golf putter and method for putting

ABSTRACT

The present invention is generally directed to a novel golf putter that is uniquely designed to be operated using a shuffleboard-like stroke, as opposed to the pendulum-like stroke traditionally used when operating putters. In one embodiment, the golf putter comprises a head having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, wherein the striking surface is substantially vertically disposed when the putter is held in a position to contact the golf ball. The golf putter also comprises a shaft connected to the head and extending at an oblique angle upwardly from the head and rearwardly away from the striking surface, when the putter is in the putting position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplication serial No. 60/326,356, which was filed Oct. 1, 2001, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to golf clubs, and moreparticularly, to an improved golf putter and method for putting.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art

[0005] The sport of golf has experienced ever-increasing popularity duein part to the fact that persons of virtually any age, regardless oftheir athletic prowess or physical handicaps, may participate in thegame. In the play of golf, some feel that the putter club is thesingle-most important club. Putters come in many different types ofdesigns. One type of putter is that of the croquet type or pendulumtype. With this type of putter, the putting swing is accomplished by apendulum-type movement of the club between an individual's legs with theindividual facing the direction in which the ball is to be putted.However, this style of putting between an individual's legs was ruledillegal by golf societies with it being required that a golfer putt withboth feet on the same side of the ball.

[0006] In addition, while special clubs have been designed for use byelderly or handicapped persons in need of assistance, such clubs aredifficult for the person to use during putting in order to obtain anyaccuracy such that the elderly or handicapped person is provided withstill a greater handicap due to lack of appropriately designed puttingclubs permitting efficient putting by such handicapped persons.

[0007] With regard to golf putters and putter design, the “lie” angle ofa golf club such as a putter is generally defined as the angle betweenthe ground and the shaft, with the bottom surface or sole of the putterhead in flat contact with the ground. This angle is believed to be ofsubstantial importance in determining the putting accuracy and successof an individual golfer.

[0008] In preparing to strike a golf ball resting on a green to propelit towards the cup, a customary and recommended orientation of thegolfer's body includes facing or addressing the ball along a lineperpendicular to a line directed from the ball to the cup (i.e.,perpendicular to the direction in which the ball is to be propelled).Also, the grip at the upper end of the putter shaft is usually graspedbetween the hands with the lower end of the shaft angled forward awayfrom the golfer's body, thus positioning the head of the putter behindthe ball. Once the putter head is aligned behind the ball with the faceof the putter perpendicular to an intended initial roll direction of theball, the arms are gently swung rearward to a cocked position, andbrought forward to impact the ball. Preferably, this cocked and swingingmotion is performed smoothly, in an arcing or pendulum fashion.

[0009] Each individual golfer will, of course, have a preferred stancewhich feels comfortable to him or her, and will thus tend to address theball in a more or less stooped orientation of the torso with respect tothe legs. Thus, to help ensure that the sole of the putter head remainsparallel to the ground, putters are customarily provided with shaftlengths which may be selected from a small number of lengths, e.g., 28″,30″ and 32″, for short, intermediate height and tall golfers,respectively. This shaft length selectability helps to ensure that thesole of the putter will be kept parallel to the green surface. Evensmall variations can significantly impact the trajectory of the ball.

[0010] It is also known that even slight rotations of the shouldersand/or torso, during the putting motion, can cause the ball to misseither left or right of the cup. Indeed, because of the critical needfor accuracy at this portion of the golf game, putting is considered bymany to be the most difficult or critical part of the game of golf.

[0011] Numerous putter designs and configurations are known, which seekto improve various aspects of putter accuracy. Notwithstanding thenumerous putter designs and configuration that are known, furtherimprovements are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the inventionwill be set forth in part in the description that follows and in partwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned with the practice of the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

[0013] To achieve the advantages and novel features, the presentinvention is generally directed to a novel golf putter that is uniquelydesigned to be operated using a shuffleboard-like stroke, as opposed tothe pendulum-like stroke traditionally used when operating putters. Inone embodiment, the golf putter comprises a head having a strikingsurface for contacting a golf ball, wherein the striking surface issubstantially vertically disposed when the putter is held in a positionto contact the golf ball. The golf putter also comprises a shaftconnected to the head and extending at an oblique angle upwardly fromthe head and rearwardly away from the striking surface, when the putteris in the putting position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part ofthe specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention,and together with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf putter constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 2A is a side view of a putter head and a portion of a shaftof the golf putter illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 2B is a front view of the putter head and a portion of theshaft of the golf putter of FIG. 1.

[0018]FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are top views illustrating three differentmanners of holding and using a golf putter constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

[0019]FIGS. 4A and 4B are side views of a putter head and a portion of ashaft of a golf putter constructed in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention.

[0020]FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of a putter head and a portion of ashaft of a golf putter constructed in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a golf putter, similar to theputter illustrated in FIG. 1, having a telescoping shaft.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a side view of a golf putter, similar to the putter ofFIGS. 5A and 5B, having a telescoping shaft.

[0023]FIG. 8 is a top view showing the putter head of a golf putter,similar to the golf putter of FIG. 1, having a curved striking surface.

[0024]FIG. 9A is a side view of a head portion of a golf putter having ashaft that projects substantially upwardly from the top of the putterhead, then bends to project both upwardly and rearwardly away from theputter head.

[0025]FIG. 9B is a side view of a putter head similar to FIG. 9A, butshowing the shaft projecting substantially rearwardly from the putterhead before curving to project both upwardly and rearwardly.

[0026]FIGS. 10A and 10B are top views illustrating a putter head,similar to the putter head of FIG. 1, having a shaft attached to theputter head from both the left and right sides, respectively.

[0027]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a golf putter, having a putterhead similar to that of FIG. 10B, and having a design on the strikingface of the putter head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Having summarized the invention above, reference is now made indetail to the description of the invention as illustrated in thedrawings. While the invention will be described in connection with thesedrawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment orembodiments disclosed therein. On the contrary, the intent is to coverall alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within thespirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0029] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, which are aperspective view, side view, and front view (respectively) of a golfputter 10 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinvention. In this regard, the inventive golf putter is, like mostputters, comprised of a head 12 and shaft 14. A unique feature of thegolf putter of one embodiment of the present invention relates to theangle of attachment between the shaft 14 and head 12.

[0030] In this regard, and as illustrated in FIG. 2A, an angle β isdefined between the plane of the striking surface 22 and the axis of theshaft 14, when the putter is positioned in a striking or puttingposition (i.e., the position when the head strikes the ball). In theillustrated embodiment, the angle β is approximately fifty-five (55)degrees. It should be appreciated, however, that this angle may varysomewhat, depending on the height where the user grips the shaft, thelength of the shaft (from the point of the grip to the putter head 12),etc.

[0031] Also distinguishing the putter of the illustrated embodiment andexisting putters is the angle α, illustrated in FIG. 2B. This angle, αis defined between the plane of the striking surface 22 of the putterhead 12 and the axis of the shaft 14. This angle is substantially ninety(90) degrees.

[0032] In contrasting the angles β and α illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2Bwith those of conventional golf putters, it is readily recognized that asubstantial differentiation of the present invention from conventionalputters relates to the angle β of FIG. 2A. In this regard, inconventional putters, the shaft 14 extends substantially vertically fromthe putter head 12, such that the corresponding angle β would beapproximately zero (0) degrees. Such an angle is desired to facilitatethe pendulum-like stroke utilized with conventional golf putters. Incontrast, the shaft 14 of the illustrated putter is attached to the head12 so as to define an angle β of approximately fifty-five (55) degrees.This angled attachment of the shaft to the putter head facilitates theshuffleboard-like stroke of the method of the present invention.

[0033] Another difference between the putter of the illustratedembodiment and conventional putters relates to the angle α. Asillustrated in FIG. 2A, this angle is substantially ninety (90) degrees.In conventional golf putters, however, this angle is oblique (e.g.,approximately 70-80 degrees), again to facilitate the pendulum-likestroke of conventional putter use.

[0034] In use, the golf putter of the illustrated embodiments ispreferably grasped on a rubber grip 16, so as to allow the bottom 20 ofthe putter head 12 to rest on the surface of the ground (e.g., puttinggreen). By bending one's elbow, the putter head 12 maybe pulled awayfrom the ball into a “cocked” position. The individual may then extendthe arm grasping the putter to move the putter head 12 towards the balluntil appropriate contact is made therewith. Throughout the range ofthis motion, the putter head 12 is allowed to rest upon the surface ofthe ground. To promote the stroke, the bottom of the putter head 20 ispreferably curved to allow the putter head 12 to glide smoothly over thesurface of the ground. Preferably, the putter head 12 has asubstantially planar striking surface 22 to contact the golf ball.

[0035] It should be appreciated that a variety of alternativeembodiments, consistent of the scope and spirit of the invention, may beutilized as well. As mentioned above, the broad concept of the presentinvention is achieved by the angled disposition of the shaft 14 with theputter head 12 that allows a shuffleboard-like stroke to be utilized. Ithas been found that this stroke is much more effective and accurate thanthe conventional pendulum-like stroke. Some of the potential alternativeembodiments will be discussed herein.

[0036] Before discussing various alternative embodiments, reference isfirst made to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, which illustrate three differentmethodologies for holding and using a putter constructed in accordancewith the invention. FIG. 3A illustrates a user 30 standing with his toespointed in the direction that the ball is to travel, and grasping theputter 10 with one hand offset toward one side of his body. The methodof FIG. 3A illustrates a right-handed use. Of course, a similar,left-handed stroke may also be used. While grasping the putter 10, theuser may bend his arm to bring the putter 10 into a “cocked” position.Then, the user may gently extend his arm gliding the putter head 12smoothly across the surface of the ground to come into contact with thegolf ball 28 to urge it forward. Similarly, FIG. 3B illustrates aone-handed stroke methodology wherein a user stands with his toespointed in a direction perpendicular to the intend direction of the golfball 28. Like the methodology FIG. 3A, the user may bend his grippingarm to pull the putter 10 into a cocked or retracted position, and thenextending his arm in the direction of the golf ball 28, may gently slidethe putter head 12 across the surface of the ground, until the strikingsurface 22 of the putter head 12 contacts the golf ball 28.

[0037]FIG. 3C illustrates yet another methodology, similar to themethodology illustrated in FIG. 3A, but one wherein the user 30 assumesa crouched position and holds the putter 10 along a center-line of theuser's body. Although illustrated as a single-handed stroke, inaccordance with the methodology of FIG. 3C, the user may electivelygrasp the putter with both hands, centering the putter in front of theuser's body. As in the other embodiments, the user glides the putterrearwardly into a cocked position and then gently forward until contactwith the golf ball 28 is made.

[0038] It should be appreciated that the shuffleboard-like stroke thatis implemented with a golf putter constructed in accordance with theillustrated embodiments provides improved alignment with the intendeddirection of the golf ball 28, and is less prone to putt misalignmentthat often occurs in conventional, pendulum-like putting strokes.Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are side views of aputter head, similar to the view of FIG. 2A. However, the putter head112 illustrated in FIG. 4A has a more pronounced curve of its glidingsurface 120. This type of putter head will be referenced to as amallet-type putter head. In respects other than the enhanced orpronounced curved surface 120, the putter 100 is similar to the putter10, and therefore the features previously discussed features need not berepeated. A particular advantage to the putter head of FIG. 4A is thatthe curved surface 120 accommodates differing usable positions (orangles) formed between the shaft 114 and ground. In this regard, and asillustrated in FIG. 4B, an angle X illustrates this differential. Thatis, FIG. 4B illustrates a super position of two different positions ororientations of the putter head 112 and shaft 114. In one position, theshaft 114 projects at a larger angle away from the ground, wherein thestriking surface 122 is angled slightly forward. In the super-imposedimage (dash lines) the shaft 114 forms a narrower angle with the groundand the plane of the striking surface 122 is substantially vertical. Itwill be appreciated that, due to the curve of the glide surface 120 ofthe putter head 112, an even shallower angle may be formed between theshaft 114 and the ground. A putter head 112 of this configuration willreadily accommodate users of differing height, or alternativelydifferent height grips, and in this respect may be more versatile thanthe putter of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[0039] Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which illustrate thehead portion of a golf putter 200, similar to the illustration of FIG.2A, constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of theinvention. In this embodiment, a joint 210 or adjustment mechanism isprovided to allow the shaft 214 to be variably angled with respect tothe putter head 212. This joint 210 has not been illustrated in detail,because there are numerous manners of implementing such a joint, hinge,pivot point, or adjustment mechanism that will be readily appreciated bypersons skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the two connectingportions of the shaft 214 (connecting at the joint 210) may haveflattened portions that form an a budding contact, and a pin 211 thatattaches the two portions. The attachment may be such that it forms afriction engagement that generally holds the two portions of the shaft214A and 214B in a fixed relationship. This fixed relationship, however,may be changed by applying a sufficient force to overcome the frictionengagement formed at the joint 210. It will be appreciated that a putter200 constructed in accordance with this embodiment will readily adapt toa variety of users and uses, which lend to differing grip heights, orotherwise differing angles of the shaft 214 with respect to the ground.

[0040] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates a putter 300constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention.The putter 300 illustrated in FIG. 6 is similar in most respects to theputter illustrated in FIG. 1, except that the putter of FIG. 6 isillustrated as having a telescoping shaft. In the illustratedembodiment, the shaft includes three sections 314A, 314B, and 314C. Ofcourse, fewer or additional sections may be provided, consistent withthe scope and spirit of the invention. When fully extended, asillustrated in FIG. 6, overlapping portions of the shaft portions 314A,314B, and 314C will form a frictional engagement with a mating portion,to provide a rigid putter 300 for use. However, by applying a forcealong the axis of the shaft, this frictional engagement may be broken toallow each of the telescoping members 314A, 314B, and 314C to slidewithin an adjacent member to form a compact putter that may be easilystowed away from carrying, for example, in a travel bag.

[0041] In a similar but alternative embodiment (not illustrated), a golfputter may be provided having a plurality of shaft segments that areinterconnected by threaded portions. When assembled, a fully-elongatedshaft may be formed. However, the differing shaft segments may bethreadedly detachable in order to be able to break the shaft down intocomponent sizes that are readily adapted for storage in a carry bag fortravel (e.g., for a business traveler).

[0042] Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which illustrates yet anotherembodiment of a golf putter 400, constructed in accordance with theinvention. The golf putter of FIG. 7 combines features of the putterillustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B with the putter of FIG. 6. Specifically,the putter 400 of FIG. 7 includes a handle having a plurality ofsegments that form a telescopic engagement for movement betweenretracted and extended positions. The putter 400 also includes a joint410 near the putter head 412 to allow relative angular dispositionbetween the shaft 414 and the putter head 412. Since the telescopingfeature was mentioned in connection with FIG. 6, and the joint 410 wasdescribed in connection with FIGS. 5A and 5B, no further discussion onthese embodiment of the golf putter 400 is required.

[0043] Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a top view illustratingthe head portion of a golf putter 500 constructed in accordance with yetanother embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG.8, the golf putter 500 is similar to the golf putter 10 of FIG. 1,except that the putter 500 of FIG. 8 includes a curved striking surface522 for contacting a golf ball. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the strikingsurface 522 has a slightly concave curvature to it. In yet anotherembodiment (not shown), the striking surface 522 may have a convexcurvature as well.

[0044] Reference is now made to FIG. 9A, which illustrates the headportion of a golf putter 600 constructed in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the putter 600is similar to the putter illustrated in FIG. 2A, however, the shaft 614is illustrated as projecting substantially vertically from the putterhead 612 until reaching a bend 615 at which the shaft 614 bends toproject both upwardly and rearwardly from the putter head 612. The line617 formed along the predominate portion of the shaft 614 still forms anangle β with respect to the striking surface 622 of the putter head 612(as described in connection with FIG. 2A).

[0045] Reference is now made to FIG. 9B, which illustrates a golf putter700 in a similar embodiment of that illustrated in FIG. 9A. However,instead of the shaft 714 projecting substantially upwardly from theputter head 712, the shaft instead projects rearwardly from the putterhead 712 before reaching a bend 715 from which the shaft 714 projectsupwardly and rearwardly away from the striking surface 722 of the putterhead 712. Again, the angle β is formed between the plane of the strikingsurface 722 and the predominate portion of the shaft 714.

[0046] Reference is made briefly to FIGS. 10A and 10B, which illustratea putter constructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of theinvention. In this embodiment, the putter head is similar to the putterhead illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B. However, instead of the shaftprojecting from the center of the putter head, it projects from a sideof the putter head, before bending to project rearwardly. FIG. 10Aillustrates such an embodiment where the shaft projects from the leftside of the putter head, and FIG. 10B illustrates an embodiment wherethe shaft projects from the right side of the putter head. Such anembodiment may promote the use of the putter to allow a user thatdesires to hold the putter at one side of his body, as illustrated inFIG. 3A, to nevertheless bring the putter head nearer to the centerlineof the user's body, thereby facilitating alignment of the putter withthe hole or intended destination of the golf ball.

[0047] It should be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that avariety of alternative embodiments, beyond those illustrated herein maybe implemented consistent with the scope and spirit of the presentinvention. Indeed, the features of the present invention may beimplemented in putters that are used, for example, at putt-putt coursesfor children. To make the game more interesting, such putter heads mayhave characters or figures drawn thereon, to enhance their desirabilityto children. Similarly, the putter heads may be sculpted to form uniquefigures, so long as an appropriate striking surface is provided forcontacting the ball, and an appropriate gliding surface is provided onthe underneath side of the putter head for allowing the putter head toglide smoothly across the surface of the ground. One such embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 11, which shows a character drawn on the strikingface of the putter head. Of course, a variety of other embodiments, notshown, may be implemented as well.

[0048] The foregoing description has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviousmodifications or variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The embodiment or embodiments discussed were chosen anddescribed to provide the best illustration of the principles of theinvention and its practical application to thereby enable one ofordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations arewithin the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claimswhen interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairlyand legally entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf putter comprising: a head having asubstantially planar striking surface for contacting a golf ball, thestriking surface being substantially vertically disposed when the putteris held in a position to contact the golf ball; a shaft connected to thehead and extending at an oblique angle β (FIG. 2A) upwardly from thehead and rearwardly away from the striking surface, when the putter isin the putting position.
 2. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein theupward disposition of the shaft forms an angle of approximately 35degrees from horizontal, when the putter is in the position to contactthe golf ball.
 3. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the putter has amallet-type putter head.
 4. The golf putter of claim 1, furtherincluding an adjustable joint, the joint being configured to allow anadjustment of the putter head with respect to the shaft, so as to changethe degree of the oblique angle that is formed between putter head andthe shaft.
 5. The golf putter of claim 4, wherein the joint is locatedon the shaft of the golf putter.
 6. The golf putter of claim 4, whereinthe joint is located at the head of the golf putter.
 7. The golf putterof claim 1, wherein the shaft includes an offset, comprising two anglesof substantially 90 degrees each, such that a lateral offset is providedbetween a gripping portion of the shaft and an end of the shaft thatattaches to the putter head.
 8. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein theshaft is shaped to project substantially directly upwardly from theputter head a short distance, then rearwardly at the oblique angle. 9.The golf putter of claim 8, wherein the shaft is shaped as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B.
 10. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the shaft isshaped to project substantially directly outwardly from the putter heada short distance, then rearwardly at the oblique angle.
 11. The golfputter of claim 10, wherein the shaft is shaped as shown in FIGS. 10Aand 10B.
 12. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the shaft is a single,unitary component.
 13. The golf putter of claim 1, wherein the shaft iscomprised of at least two portions that are configured for telescopicmovement along a common axis so as to move between a compact travelconfiguration, and an extended operational configuration.
 14. The golfputter of claim 13, wherein the shaft is comprised of three portions.15. A method of putting a golf ball comprising the steps of: holding ashaft that extends upwardly and rearwardly from a putter head; pushingthe shaft away from a user in a fashion that skids a bottom surface ofthe putter head across the ground in a form similar to a shuffleboardstroke.
 16. The method of claim 15, further including the step ofpreparing to put the golf ball by setting up in a stance wherein theuser is facing in a direction of the intended trajectory of the golfball.
 17. The method of claim 15, further including the step ofpreparing to put the golf ball by setting up in a stance wherein theuser is facing in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction ofthe intended trajectory of the golf ball.
 18. A golf putter comprising:a head having a striking surface for contacting a golf ball, thestriking surface being substantially vertically disposed at a point ofcontact, when the putter is held in a putting position; a shaftprojecting from the head at an angle α (FIG. 2B) that is substantiallyperpendicular to the striking surface.
 19. The golf putter of claim 18,wherein the striking surface has slight curvature.
 20. The golf putterof claim 19, wherein the striking surface as a concave curvature asshown in FIG. 8.